Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a locality may appoint and train local government employees to enforce local ordinances within the scope of the employee’s employment by issuing summonses for misdemeanor violations of ordinances, except those offenses listed in Title 18.2 or Chapter 8 (§ 46.2-800 et seq.) of Title 46.2 or those violations of local ordinances for offenses that are substantially similar to such offenses. Such employees shall not have the power and authority of constables at common law; their power shall be limited to issuing such summonses in their locality.